New Jersey Devils Season Preview: Bold Predictions and Breakout Performers
By Nick Villano
The New Jersey Devils are coming into this season with something they haven’t had in a long time: hype. With that hype comes expectations, and we’ve tagged all of the Pucks and Pitchfork writers to see their predictions together. Let’s take a look at the annual Pucks and Pitchforks season preview!
1. Who is this year’s breakout performer?
Nick Villano: Kevin Bahl. Dude looked like a stud in the preseason, and he clearly is ready to hit another level.
Vinnie Parise: This year’s breakout performer will be none other than Luke Hughes. Few rookies are put in this type of situation where everyone around them will make their lives much easier.
Rob DeLuca: Those of you who always read our giant previews know I love getting under the skin of our short-tempered fanbase. Ondrej Palat is going to shut them all up. Deal with it.
Charlie Borges Jr.: Michael McLeod. While there are off-ice issues that could affect this, McLeod has come into his own last season and impressed this preseason. By year’s end, he will be one of the premier defensive centers in the entire NHL.
Dan Rice: Luke Hughes. That’s the easy answer, but also the right one. Without having to be the savior of a team, he will probably slightly exceed my expectations. He’ll make some mistakes, but the reward will outweigh the risks. I also think Lazar will be a great fit with this group following a full offseason and training camp to adapt to this team/system.
David Williams: I can see a breakout performance from Ondrej Palat this year. Being hampered by injuries early last season led to season-long struggles; look for Palat and his playoff pedigree to come into play this year.
Jonathan Bailey: Kevin Bahl is getting his first crack at being a top-four defenseman at the NHL level. He was arguably the Devils’ best blueliner in training camp, and now all he has to do is keep that up when the real thing starts.
Ethan Fink: Kevin Bahl is this year’s breakout performer.
Tyler Russell: I believe this year’s breakout performer will be Alexander Holtz. He had a phenomenal camp, and his time has come. Now, it is his job to perform at the highest level and I think he will.
Joe Stanislau: Luke Hughes is my breakout performer this season.
Marci Rubin: This year’s breakout performer will be Akira Schmid. We got a taste of what he could do during the Stanley Cup playoffs last season, and now is his time to reach the next level.
Luke Garrison: The definitive breakout performer will go to Jack Hughes. He’s 22 and now an NHL star, and I believe he will continue his incredible success on the Devils now that he has help around him.
Samanew Annaluru: This year’s breakout performer will be Dawson Mercer. Think he could crack 65-70 points.
David Holiday: Alexander Holtz. He has spent a lot of time with Nico Hischier and Timo Meier, and if that stands for part of the season, he could easily be looking at 40 points. The other option is placing him on a third line with some combination of Haula, Mercer, or Palat with some easier competition, and he should be able to handle that.